China reinforcing IP protection

Shen Changyu, director of the State Intellectual Property Office, answers media questions after the fourth plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 13, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will carry out a more stringent intellectual property protection system to reinforce IP protection, the head of IPR watchdog said on March 13.

Shen Changyu, director of the State Intellectual Property Office, made the remarks at the sideline of the ongoing annual session of the national legislature.

"China will push to amend the Patent Law to introduce punishment compensation measures to reinforce the punishment against IP violations, to let the violators pay," he said.

The office will treat domestic enterprises and international ones, big companies and small firms, State-owned companies and private sectors, equally, to provide protection over their intellectual properties, Shen said, adding that it aims to create a better business environment.

Shen also said to speed up review and protection process, more IPR centers will be established this year to allow right owners to safeguard their rights more efficiently with lower cost.

China has already built 19 such centers.

He also said a larger framework for IPR protection will be established.

"We will work with other departments to form a collective force to protect intellectual property," he said.

China plans to restructure the State Intellectual Property Office to strengthen protection of intellectual property rights, according to the State institutional reform plan of the State Council, which was submitted to the on-going NPC session for deliberations.

The office will incorporate part of functions of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, to solve problems including separated administration and overlapping enforcement.

The new agency will be responsible for facilitating the construction of an IPR protection system, and the registration and administrative adjudication of trademarks, patents and geographical indications.